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This post is part of a 5 week #MusicTherapyBlogger challenge. Learn more and join the movement by visiting Serenade Designs!

Challenge #1: Think and write about a question you hear a lot in your work.

Whatcha gonna do with all that junk? All that junk inside your trunk?

My favorite comment from music therapy students or observers quite literally has to do with all the junk in my trunk. Yup, I said it. The trunk…of my car. AKA a glorious place where most of my instruments and visuals live. (But seriously, are you singing “My Humps” yet?)

My favorite comments:

(I open trunk) “…That’s crazy.”

“WOW. You have a lot of…stuffed animals?”

“Geez, how can you afford to buy all these materials?”

“Uhh, do I actually need all this stuff?!”

My answer, MT friends, is NO! You absolutely do not need to be a music therapy material hoarder like yours truly. (I really do have a problem. Laminator addicts, unite?) However, my advice to students everywhere is that it can never hurt to start working on your instrument collection early. Having instruments on hand means that while you’re making the transition from student to professional, you have the ability to taking on contracting jobs or work at facilities that don’t already have instruments (or a budget to buy instruments). Because I work in private practice, I’m always on the go—but the great thing about having a big collection of instruments and visuals is that my materials are always ready to go, too.

If you can, I encourage you to start making your own wishlist NOW. Set aside a small amount of $$ each month for your instrument fund. Use birthdays and holidays to ask for instruments (I know, I know…but it’s so worth it). At your graduation party, ask people to bring instruments instead of gifts. If you get creative, your instrument collection can grow at minimal cost.

Check out a list of MY essential items below. Did I miss something? What’s your favorite? Leave a comment below and I’ll add it to the list!

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